Automatic fire-extinguisher



(No Model.) r J. D. SWALLOW & W. H. KEENY.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER. No. 374,912. Patented Dec. 13, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH D. SWALLOIVAND WILLIAM H. KEENY, OF PORT ALLEGHANY, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.374,912, dated December 13, 1887. Application filed March 17, 1887. Serial No. 231,225. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J osnrrr D. SWALLOW and \VILLIAM H. KEENY, of Port Alleghany, county of McKean, in the State of Pennsylvania, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new aud useful Improvements in Automatic Fire-Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of our device; Fig. 2, a top plan view of the weight-supporting column, showing the concavity; and Fig. 3, a detail of the clasp attachment, &c.

Similar letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Our invention relates to that class of devices, commonly called fire extinguishers, in which the extinguishing gas (or gaseous liquid) is generated by the emptying of a package ofa preparation of liquid soda or a soda compound into a receptacle containingasuitable acid liquid to properly combine chemically with the soda (or other alkali) and quickly generate the gas.

Our invention consists in the application of such a device to a railway car or locomotive with proper piping leading to the fire-pots of the stoves, to the lamps, to the firebox and grate of the locomotive, or to any other point where a fire would be likely to occur through an accident to the train.

It is constructed as follows:

A is the gas-generator, consisting of two chambers, 1, which holds the acid, and 2, the upper one, in which the soda solution is carried; and 3 isa perforated diaphragm, (shown in the drawings as concave, but which can be of any form desired,) and the generator itself is cylindrical with a tight bottom. Upon this diaphragm we place the soda-receptacle-a glass or earthen bottle or package,4which is heldin place and prevented from rolling about by adjustable brackets 5, the inner faces of which can be padded, if desired.

In the top of the generator is an opening provided with a removable cover, 6, through the center of which weinsert the piston 7,with

suitable packing, which piston consists of a rod provided with a head and apoint.

8 is ahammer mounted upon a pivot, and 9 is a mainspring to operate the hammer.

10 is a column or upright,in or upon which the trigger 11 is mounted, the free end of which is adapted to properly engage with the hammer S,when it is cocked. To this trigger we connect a cord or chain, 12, leading to the weight 13, which lies in a concavity in the upper end of the upright 10, which concavity should be of suffieient depth to securely hold the ball against any dislodgment by the ordinary motion of the car.

In the drawings we show the cord passing through an eye upon the upright, in order to insure a direct vertical strain upon the trigger.

The generator is wholly inclosed within the case B, and is provided with asuitable pipe or pipes, 14, inserted through its side above the acid-level, and passing out through the case and leading to a stove or stoves, and to the lamps, also, in a car, or to the fire-box and grate of a locomotive.

In Fig. 3 we showa clasp to hold the weight against any dislodgment-as, for instance, during the day in warm weather, when there is no fire in the stove.

It is operated as follows: When all of the parts are arranged as shown in Fig. 1, any

dislodgmcnt of the weight by thejar or con--= cussion of a collision, sudden overturning of the car or locomotive to which my device may be attached,or other accident to the t-rain,will instantly impart a sharp jerk to the cord, re lease the trigger from the hammer, which will be thrown by the mainspring over upon the head of the piston, and driving it downward its point will break the bottle, and the liquid soda or compound will fall down'into the acid, and the chemical action will generate a strong pressure of gas and force it or the gaseous liquid out through the pipe or pipes 14 to the.

stove or lamps and instantly extinguish the fire therein, and thus avoid all danger of the burning of the cars and passengers.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the upright 10, provided with concave top, ball 13, supported by the upright, and cord 12, connecting the ball to the trigger, with the trigger 11, hammer 8, mainspring 9, piston 7, and bottle 4, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the tank 1, provided with concave perforated diaphragm 3, provided with adjustable brackets 5, of the bottle 4 and its breaking mechanism engaging with the bottle through the top of the generator, substantially as described.

3. The combination,with a car, of the tank 1, provided with piping leading to the heating andlighting apparatus and having an upright, I 5 10, a ball, 13, supported thereby, a trigger, 11, a cord, 12, connecting the ball with the trigger, a hammer, 8, mainspring 9, a piston, 7, and a bottle, 4, lying upon a perforated concave diaphragm within the top of the tank, substantially as described.

In witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 14th day of March, 1887.

JOSEPH D. SWALLOW. [L.s.] WVILLIAM H. KEENY. [L. s.] In presence of S. W. SMITH, J. M. KEENY. 

